Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-02-24
home. And thus it goes through all

home. And thus it goes through all
branches of trade"
The truthfulness of the foregoing as
sertiops is of wide application, and by no
means confined to 'Califernians. 1t APP
plies with almost equal force to the farm
ers of other and widely separated por-
tions of the country, east and west, north
and south, and notably to those of he
latter region, in some parts of which so
much attention is given to cotton grow
ing that other valuable crops are almost
entirely neglected. Even in the Kew
England and Middle states very few
farmers grow one-half the variety of
products they could and should for their
own use, or that might be profitably mar
keted. Especially is this true in regard to
fruits, vegetables, etc. the general neg
lect of which by many cultivators seems
unaccountable. The families of men who,
having suitable soil, In a favorable eli
mate, from year to year defer the plant
ing of fruit trees, and rarely, if ever,
raise any vegetables fit for table use, are
surely to be Plttied on account of their
deprivation of what might be easily sup
piled, while the heads of such IN
fortunate families should be liable
to Indictment for neglecting to discharge
their duty In the premises. Such hus-
bandmen must not only lack the true
spirit of progress, but be deficient in
knowledge and appreciation of the bene-
fits derivable from the cause indicated,
for if they realized how much of health
and comfort might emanate from the
frequent use of fruits and vegetables they
would certainly devote more attention to
their production for that purpose, to say
nothing of raising them for market,whic
latter, it is needless to add, is a profitable
industry in many localities. BY the way,
1t is surprising that so few farmers locat
ed near cities and villages do not Guilt
vate small fruits and vegetables, and the
like for marketing. Were they to give
proper attention to this branch, !growing
choice varieties, and sending to market in
good condition-assorted and In neat
boxes and attractive packages-they
would soon 6nd the business profitable.
But if the farmers of old, long culti-
waited regions are dereIict in growing
fruits and vegetables, as many of them
proverbially are, what shall be said of
those occupying large and fertile farms
and plantations in the west and south,
those weil-to-do farmers and planters
who live on 'hog and hominy" year in
and year out, without apparently the
least premonitory reluctance or twinge
of conscience? And is it still true, as it |
was years ago, that in the west, as a rule,
corn, wheat and live stock are almost |
solely depended upon-and often only
one of these-while other, and for the |
family, equally important products re-
ceive little or no attention. The planters
of the cOnth have hoaI 70 fin
to cotton, sugar and tobacco,
ignoring most other crops, and depend
ing chiefly upon the north for supplies |
for family consumption. The graat |
majority have not only neglected the
culture of fruits and vegetables, even in |
the most favorable localities for the pro-
duction, but also the cereal and other
crops necessary to their sustenance, and
which they might easily raise. This has
been the custom for years, so long in |
some sections it appears to have become |
chronic and unchangeabIe; and yet the |
benefits of mixed husbandry are at last |
coming to be known and appreciated, as
It's advantages have been clearly dem
onstrated DIV many Intelligent md pro-
gressive cultivators since "the late I'M
These advantages are
many, but they need not be mentioned
in this connection, as they will be readily
suggested to the intellig ent readers. ,.The
adoption of an injudicious system of |
mixed husbandry would no doubt prove
greatly beneficial to numerous cultivators
in the west and south faye, and in the
east and north), who now rely chiefly up
on one Or two staples. Indeed, we con-
tidently believe that it would be for the !
peculiarly interest of the great mass of
farmers throughout the country to pro-
ducs greater variety.